In 1937, a medicinal elixir produced by a pharmaceutical company killed 71 adults and 34 children because the solvent for the drug was diethylene [dy-E-thi-leen] glycol, a chemical used now as antifreeze. Diethylene glycol is toxic because it is converted to oxalic acid by alcohol dehydrogenase [dee-HY-druh-juh-nays] and other enzymes, which damages the kidneys and brain. If given early enough, ethanol is a treatment for this poisoning. Which of the following reasons is the most likely explanation for why ethanol is an effective treatment?